For residents of Matepes area in Rombo, Kajiado county, access to safe water has been a pipe dream for decades. Daily treks for several kilometers have been the norm in the area with women and children bearing the brunt. But their 25- year wait for safe and clean water has finally become a reality following the launch of a water project at Matepes Primary School during the World Water Day Celebrations thanks to VIVA Africa’s WASH FESTIVAL CAMPAIGN.
Purity Sieyan, a resident of the area, said in the past they have been walking for more than 20 kilometers to get water. However, she said the water is often unsafe and has exposed them to waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
Another resident Esther Ndung’e, termed the project a huge relief for them. “We have suffered a lot. We have to walk for more than an hour every day in search for water,” Ms Ngung’e said.
The fully-equipped borehole will ensure Matepes primary school and the larger community will have access to safe water for domestic use. 30,000 liters of water can be pumped from the borehole, which uses a solar system, every hour ensuring a reliable supply of the commodity.
Davis & Shirlff, as one of the partners in the project donated a solar system to provide a renewable source of power. Amos Mutunga the Rongai branch manager said the solar modules reduce the greenhouse gas emissions therefore mitigating climate change while providing sustainability to the community project.
Rombo Division Assistant Commissioner Rispah Kitum said area residents have in the pastbeen exposed to waterborne diseases due to the consumption of unsafe water. She said the project will ensure locals get water from a safe source unlike in the past when they relied on contaminated water from rivers.
“Many cases of patients in hospitals are due to consumption of unsafe water. When people have access to clean water, they will lead a healthy life. Women will also have time to do other chores like empowering themselves economically as they will no longer walk long distances looking in search of water,” said Ms Kiptum.
“Also cases of children failing to attend school as they join the search for water will also come to an end. Having this water project here will help them a lot,” she added.
Matepes Primary Schoolhead teacher Mr Samuel Karanja said the 496 learners in the school have suffered for a long time but there is relief for them now.
Most parts of Kajiado county experience drought which usually results in residents walking long distances in search of water. The rivers in the area are also seasonal forcing the community to rely on water from highly contaminated sources such as dry river beds, silanga(water pans) and unprotected water wells. Without a reliable source of water, both man and animal often share a common water source leading to water contamination and human wildlife conflict. This is now a matter of the past due to Viva Africa’s successful launch of the Matepes Water Project courtesy of the Wash Festival.
